Michael's on the Hill

Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at the meze and Wine Bar in Boston, Krasi. If you want to explore Greek wine, this is the place to go. Krasi literally means wine, and at this cool spot you will find a fabulous selection of Greek wines. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, Sam is on hand to help you find the wines on the list that will tickle your palate and expand your knowledge of wines from a variety of Greek regions and islands. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2017 Douloufakis, “Amphora” Vidiano, Crete

• 2019 Stillanou, Mandilari, “Great Mother”, Crete

• 2013 Nerantzi, Koniaros,  Serres, Maceodonia

Samantha Hohl, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Sazon, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Sazon serves classic Latin American dishes made by their James Beard Award-winning chef Chef Fernando Olea. Chef Olea creates sophisticated flavors using Old Mexico’s indigenous and culinary traditions and he has earned a stellar reputation for his unique interpretation of contemporary and traditional Mexican dishes. The wine list is equally exciting, and Sam explores what Mexican wines have to offer, offers pairing suggestions, and shares a little background information on growing regions and the varietals chosen for some of the spectacular wines on the list. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2019 Bruma “Ocho Blanco de Carignan”, Valle de Guadalupe

• 2019 Solar Fortún Petit Verdot, Valle de Guadalupe

• 2020 Casa Jipi Nebbiolo, Baja California

Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at La Boca in Santa Fe, New Mexico. La Boca features a carefully curated wine list that showcases Spanish varietals and pairs well with their Spanish-inspired menu. Sam reviews wines made from lesser-known varietals from a variety of regions in Spain. If you want to expand your palate and find some new favorites, this episode will open up a world of new wines to explore. In addition to pairing suggestions and tasting notes of each wine, Sam offers a little background information on the terroir to expand your knowledge of how the growing region influences the wine. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2019 Raúl Pérez La del Vivo

• 2020 Envínate Benje

• 2015 Bodegas LAN Culmen

Samantha Hohl, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas take a trip to Coppa in Boston, Massachusetts where Sam reviews their fantastic list of wines which have been curated to highlight small producers, so you know there will be some surprise varietals and hidden gems on this list. Sam chooses the wines that pair well with items on the menu, so if you love Italian food (and who doesn’t) get ready to eat, drink and be more than merry with the suggestions Sam offers in this episode of CorkRules.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2021 Foradori Teroldego, Alto Adige

• 2020 Quantico “Etna Bianco”, Sicily

• 2014 Gravner Ribolla Gialla, Slovenia

Samantha Hohl, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas talk shellfish, seafood, and, of course, wine to pair with the fresh seafood, enjoy immensely and remember. In this episode, they visit the Helm Oyster Bar in Portland, Maine. Sam introduces a spectacular biodynamic bottle of bubbles from the Montlouis-sur-Loire region in France, a Sicilian rose, and a few reds for the red lovers. If silky tannins, slight spice along with herbal aromas or hints of pepper, along with violets and herbs sound enticing, this review has the wine for you. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2019 Domaine Usseglio Cuvée Girard

• 2018 Domaine Pierre Gelin “Les Hervelets”, Burgundy

• 2020 Olivier Tricon Chablis

Samantha Hohl, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas head downtown to Salem, Massachusetts where they review the wine list at Ledger. This restaurant is located in a beautiful building (circa 1818) and the menu includes traditional 19th-century dishes, cocktails, and techniques. The wine director has brought in wine from all over the world to provide an interesting list of old and new world wines. Sam identifies the special bottles on the list, and from bubbles to pair with fresh oysters to a bold red to pair with duck, Sam finds the wines to complement the dish. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2018 Domaine Piccard Daley-Lavaux “Grand Cru Villette”, France

• 2021 Abbazia di Novacella, Italy

• 2016 Yves Gangloff Condrieu, France

Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit Row 34 in Boston's historic Fort Point neighborhood. Sam points out a few of the best bottles on the list and offers pairing suggestions for a few of the sensational seafood dishes such as the tuna tartare and sesame cucumber in lime, monkish, and champagne and oysters. From natural wines and orange wines to Hungarian hidden treasures, Sam shares tasting notes and a little information on the wine producers to take your wine education up a level. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2021 Stone Crusher by Donkey and Goat

• 2019 Morick and Villa Tonnay's Hidden Treasures

• 2021 Lomoresco Nero Capitano from Sicily

Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas head south to Charleston to review the wine list at The Ordinary, where Sam finds a spectacular selection of wines including a pet nat from Slovenia, a spectacular skin contact wine, and one that is a must-pair with oysters. In addition to her wine-tasting expertise, Sam shares a little background knowledge of the wine producers and vineyards, which always makes the bottle you choose more interesting and memorable.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Mortellito, "Tuttu", Sicily

• 2021 Gonc “Canvas”, Slovenia

• 2020 Anjou à Françoise, Loire Valley

Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas take a trip to South Charleston to review the wine list at The Fig where southern dishes with a unique twist are prepared with seasonal ingredients and creativity. Sam checks through the list and she identifies a small producer with 40-year-old vines who focuses on minimal intervention, she spots a producer who farms their vines organically and biodynamically, and she recommends a special bottle of which only 1200 cases are produced.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2021 Pinot Noir, Mac Forbes, Yarra Valley, Australia

• 2018 Domaine de l’Ecu Muscadet “Granite”, France

• 2017 Domaine du Collier "La Ripaille" Saumur Rouge

Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Harvest in Cambridge,  Massachusetts. This restaurant has been serving meals with their unique twist on American cuisine since 1975. Sam finds some spectacular wines on the list, including wine from producers who use only grapes they grow themselves, wines from 50-year-old vines, and wines from high up Spring Mountain in Napa Valley.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2019 Huet Le Haut-Lieu Vouvray Sec, Loire, France

• 2018 Beurer Trollinger, Weingut Beurer, Württemberg, Germany

• 2008 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa